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Bystanders, police lift tree from car to rescue DC driver

The man was driving along a road Monday when a large tree fell on the car, crushing the roof and trapping him inside

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — About 30 bystanders and D.C. police worked together to rescue a man driving home from his tree-service job after a tree fell on top of his car.

Officials say 45-year-old Marcelino Cruz was driving along a road in northwest Washington on Monday evening when a large tree fell on the car, crushing the roof and trapping Cruz inside.

Bystander Michael Durr tells WJLA-TV that police encouraged everyone to work together to move the tree. Firefighters then ripped off the roof and rescued Cruz, whose condition has been upgraded to stable.

Cruz remained hospitalized Tuesday with multiple injuries.

Cruz’s family tells The Washington Post Cruz had been driving home from his job at a tree-service company in Fairfax, Virginia.

U.S. Park Police say they are investigating what caused the tree to fall.